Eating healthy while you’re in college can be a challenge. These healthy college dinners will give you a chance to cook something both delicious and nutritious!
You start the morning off right with a bowl of oatmeal or cereal. Then you have salad or a wrap for lunch. But come dinner time, you’re tired. That’s because you’ve been hitting the books.
That’s why I’m sharing 27 Healthy College Dinner Ideas. Not only are they good for you, but they’re also delicious too.
1. Cheesy Garlic Broccoli
Credit: allnutritious.com
When it comes to healthy eating, you can’t get much more nutritious than broccoli. Broccoli contains the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin.
These antioxidants may prevent cellular damage to your eyes. And eating broccoli may be good for your heart and brain.
It may also boost your immune system. Yay!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 363
- Fat: 20g
- Protein: 24g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 10g
- Sugar: 6.7g
2. Baked Pesto Salmon
Credit: garlicandzest.com
This Baked Pesto Salmon is as easy as they come. Top your salmon with pesto, breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese. Then let your oven be the cook.
Want to make dinner even more special? Serve your salmon on beautiful dinner platters. These dinner platters are fancy yet exceptionally durable.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 449g
- Fats: 11g
- Protein: 5g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fiber:
- Sugar: 1g
3. Mushroom Stroganoff
Credit: thekitchengirl.com
This Mushroom Stroganoff is perfect for Meatless Mondays. Egg noodles are tossed in a savory cream sauce with mushrooms.
The mushrooms give you that meaty texture and yummy umami flavor. So, you don’t even miss the meat. What’s even better? You’re only using one pot.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 233
- Fats: 10g
- Protein: 7g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
4. Honey Chicken Wings
Credit: allnutritious.com
These Honey Chicken wings are crispy, flavorful, and, best of all, sticky. Don’t be surprised if you’re licking your fingers – just saying.
And they have the perfect balance of sweet and savory. That’s because you’re tossing your wings in honey and Italian seasoning.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 527
- Fats: 37g
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 23g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6.2g
5. Slow Cooker Cauliflower-Cheese Soup
Credit: cookingwithmammac.com
Start your Cauliflower Cheese Soup in the slow cooker. Then you come home to yummy aromas and flavors.
Just use an immersion blender like this to make the soup creamy. You should use a programmable slow cooker such as this one here. That way, you can set your timer to go off after 6 hours.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 359
- Fats: 25g
- Protein: 20g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar:
6. Cabbage Soup
Credit: sustainmycookinghabit.com
This soup is delicious and so good for you. That’s because it’s packed with cabbage, onions, carrots, and potatoes.
So, you’re getting plenty of Vitamins A and C – perfect for keeping the doctor away. But don’t worry, there’s meat too. So, it’s perfect for meat lovers too.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 353
- Fats: 28g
- Protein: 15g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
7. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Credit: allnutritious.com
These Brussel Sprouts with Bacon are packed with flavor – and not the wrong kind of flavors.
First of all, you’ll be sauteeing your Brussels Sprouts in bacon grease. This adds a yummy savory flavor to the Brussels Sprouts.
Check out more healthy summer recipes here.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 251
- Fats: 18g
- Protein: 7.6g
- Carbs: 17g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 8.6g
8. Vegan White Bean and Kale Soup
Credit: thekitchengirl.com
This soup is colorful, yummy, and satisfying. Just looking at it will make you happy. Just one cup of cannellini beans provides 15.4 grams of protein. Cannellini beans are also rich in fiber.
Just store your soup in freezer-safe food storage containers. I prefer glass ones like this because of the eco-friendliness. On the other hand, BPA-free plastic containers are another excellent option.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 363
- Fats: 4.3g
- Protein: 23.9g
- Carbs: 60.2g
- Fiber: 23.2g
- Sugar: 5.5g
9. Chicken with Green Beans and Sugar Snap Pea Amandine
Credit: chocolatesandchai.com
Time for some Chicken with Green Beans and Sugar Snap Pea Amandine. Now that’s a mouthful. The chicken is juicy and flavorful. That’s because you’re sauteing it in 9 different spices.
So, be sure to pull out your measuring spoons. These ones here are so durable – they’ll last you way beyond your college years.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 713
- Fats: 25.5g
- Protein: 94.8g
- Carbs: 24.6g
- Fiber:
- Sugar: 6.7g
10. Mexican Lentil Soup
Credit: thebellyrulesthemind.net
This Mexican Lentil Soup provides a welcome change. It’s creamy, tasty, and really satisfying. You won’t be reaching for a burger after.
Instant Pots are great for cooking food fast. So, they can come in quite handy when you need to cook food in a pinch. Don’t have an Instant Pot on hand? You can get one at a great price here.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 97
- Fats: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Carbs: 9g
- Fiber: 9g
- Sugar: 3g
11. Spinach Tomato Salad with Feta Cheese
Credit: allnutritious.com
Did you know that only 6% of college students eat enough fruits and veggies? That’s a pretty alarming statistic, right?
So how can you up your veggie intake? Have some salad for dinner. This Spinach Tomato Salad will have you piling on the greens – happily.
Check out more macro-friendly recipes.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 315
- Fats: 27g
- Protein: 5.8g
- Carbs: 10.3g
- Fiber: 2.7g
- Sugar: 7.9g
12. Instant Pot Fried Rice
Credit: therecipewell.com
Are you craving Chinese takeout? Have this Instant Pot Fried Rice instead.
The texture of the fried rice is surprisingly spot-on. And it’s full of yummy flavors, from rice, eggs, chicken, carrots, and peas. So it tastes just as good as takeout – but is healthier too.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 489
- Fats: 9g
- Protein: 35g
- Carbs: 64g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
13. Mushroom Stew
Credit: nourishplate.com
This Mushroom Stew is so comforting. Yet, it’s pretty light. That’s because you’re not adding meat to the stew. Instead, you’re just adding mushrooms.
The mushrooms add lots of meaty textures and umami flavor. They also add lots of nutrition.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 114
- Fats: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Carbs: 16g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 8g
14. Shepherds Pie
Credit: whatagirleats.com
Looking for some more comfort food? You can’t go wrong with this Shepherd’s pie. It’s creamy, cheesy, tasty, and super comforting – precisely what the doctor, ahem, therapist ordered.
To make this dish, you will be using ground beef. However, beef has quite a large carbon footprint. So you may want to make this Shepherd’s Pie occasionally. Or you can use ground turkey instead.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 466
- Fats: 31g
- Protein: 29g
- Carbs: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 2g
15. Mexican Bean Salad
Credit: allnutritious.com
Are you tired of leafy salads? This Mexican Bean Salad provides a welcome change.
It’s refreshing and has a nice balance of acidity and sweetness. And the jalapeno peppers add some kick – perfect if you like all things spicy.
This salad is excellent just the way it is. But if you like, you can add these tortilla strips.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 287
- Fats: 10g
- Protein: 12g
- Carbs: 26g
- Fiber: 13g
- Sugar: 4.7g
16. Lentil Dahl
Credit: nourishplate.com
To keep it light, you can serve it with some cauliflower rice. One cup of cauliflower rice contains only 25 calories.
It’s as low in carbs – perfect if you’re on a low-carb diet. Cauliflower rice is also very nutritious. You can simply use some of this pre-packaged rice.
Or if you prefer to save some money, you can make your own. This food processor has a large capacity.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 107
- Fats: 7g
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
17. Instant Pot Chicken Piccata
Credit: flavormosaic.com
That’s where this Instant Pot Chicken Piccata comes in. Tender, juicy chicken breasts are covered in a buttery, creamy garlic lemon sauce.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 422
- Fats: 24g
- Protein: 40g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
18. Herb Crusted Salmon
Credit: allnutritious.com
Succulent, flaky salmon is topped with fresh herbs. And it’s served with oven-burst cherry tomatoes drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
Besides being yummy, salmon is pretty nutritious. It is full of heart-healthy omega-3s.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 333
- Fats: 20g
- Protein: 27g
- Carbs: 8.3g
- Fiber: 2.7g
- Sugar: 6.2g
19. Chicken Fajitas
Credit: flavormosaic.com
To make these Chicken Fajitas, you’ll need an oven-safe skillet. That’s because you’re sauteing the chicken on the stove first.
For best results, I recommend using a cast-iron skillet like this. Not only is it oven-safe, but it also distributes heat quite evenly. And it gives the perfect sear.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 529
- Fats: 33g
- Protein: 40g
- Carbs: 19g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 12g
20. Kale Salad
Credit: joyfoodsunshine.com
This kale salad is sure to be a crowd-pleasure. It’s full of delightful textures and flavors. You’ve got the sweetness from the carrots and red bell peppers. And you’ve got the bitterness of the kale.
Meanwhile, you’ve got the creaminess of the cheddar cheese. This complements the crunchiness of the roasted pecans.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 135
- Fats: 11g
- Protein: 2g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
21. Mango Avocado Salad
Credit: allnutritious.com
This Mango Avocado Salad is refreshing, fruity, and has tons of tropical flavors. The onions and cucumbers add a pleasant crunch. Meanwhile, the avocados add creaminess – it’s a party in your mouth.
Besides being yummy, mangos are good for you too. They contain immune-boosting vitamins like Vitamins A and C.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 312
- Fats: 20g
- Protein: 5.2g
- Carbs: 22g
- Fiber: 13g
- Sugar: 18g
22. Chickpea Spinach Curry
Credit: therecipewell.com
Healthy eating can be pretty cheap. And this Chickpea Spinach Curry proves just that. It’s creamy and savory. And the aromatic spices add a warm heat.
Meanwhile, the baby spinach freshens the curry up. But best of all, this curry is satisfying. Canned chickpeas provide a pretty affordable source of protein. They also contain fiber.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 471
- Fats: 31g
- Protein: 15g
- Carbs: 40g
- Fiber: 12g
- Sugar: 3g
23. Vegan Tortilla Soup
Credit: veganhuggs.com
Are you craving Mexican food? This Vegan Tortilla Soup will definitely satisfy your cravings. It has a ton of Mexican Flava. You’ve got spicy jalapenos and tangy fire-roasted tomatoes.
But the icing on top of the cake, ahem, soup, is the tortilla strips. They add a delightful crunchiness. So, make sure you make some. If you can’t, you can use these premade tortilla strips here.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 197
- Fats: 8g
- Protein: 8g
- Carbs: 29g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 6g
24. Tofu Veggie Stir Fry
Credit: veganhuggs.com
Crispy tofu is tossed with saucy noodles and veggies. Then it’s all topped with sesame seeds. It’s the perfect balance of umami, savory, sweet, and spicy.
To get your tofu crispy, make sure you press out the moisture first. You can do this by wrapping the tofu in a clean kitchen cloth. This tofu press makes pressing your tofu mess-free.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 342g
- Fats: 12g
- Protein: 3g
- Carbs: 51g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
25. Vegan Tex Mex Quinoa
Credit: profusioncurry.com
Do you have some leftover quinoa on hand? Use it up in this Vegan Tex Mex Quinoa.
You’ve got sweetness from the corn and heat from the jalapeno peppers. And the red bell peppers and red cabbage add the perfect crunch.
What’s more, quinoa is gluten-free too. If you’d like to stock up on some, you can get some quinoa here.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 290
- Fats: 14g
- Protein: 8g
- Carbs: 37g
- Fiber: 8g
- Sugar: 5g
26. Chicken Burrito Bowls
Credit: cleananddelicious.com
Craving Chipotle? Have these Chicken Burrito Bowls instead.
They’re piled high with Mexican flavors. You’ve got sweet corn, tangy cilantro-lime rice, black beans, and of course, the taco-seasoned ground chicken. The chipotle sauce adds a nice kick.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 517
- Fats: 17g
- Protein: 42g
- Carbs: 57g
- Fiber: 15g
- Sugar: 8g
27. Instant Pot Vegan Stuffed Pepper Soup
Credit: profusioncurry.com
Want to enjoy stuffed peppers – without all of the work? Then give this Instant Pot Vegan Stuffed Pepper Soup a try.
You’ve got all the deliciousness of stuffed peppers – but in the form of a soup. Yum! And you can’t have stuffed pepper, ahem soup, without cheese, right?
Per Serving:
- Calories: 157
- Fats: 4g
- Protein: 7g
- Carbs: 26g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 6g